Green frog at the garden pond

A small backyard pond has hosted a green frog on and off for a couple of years, and by mid-October this one was still holding its spot on the rocks at dusk. The ridge running down each side of the back — the dorsolateral fold — is the field mark that separates green frogs from bullfrogs, which lack it.

Why it matters

Green frogs are common across the eastern half of the country and are one of the more reliable frogs to find around a backyard water feature — they’ll take up residence in anything from a farm pond to a garden pool, as long as there’s water year-round.

Getting the shot

Late afternoon light and the 180-600mm from a distance so as not to spook him off the rock — a frog that’s been living in the same pond all season has learned to tolerate the occasional visitor, but not a camera stuck in its face.